Judge Beth Smith was elected to her first term of office in 1999 to the Justice Court, Precinct 2. Pct. 2 includes the cities of Kyle, Mountain City, Uhland, and dozens of subdivisions surrounding these cities. These subdivisions include, but are not limited to, Steeplechase, The Trails, Crosshouse Estates, Quail Meadows, Dove Hollow Estates, Meadowoods, Green Pastures, Creekside, 4 Seasons, Plum Creek, Spring Branch, Southlake, Silverado and Amberwood.
Beth attended Austin Community College and Southwest Texas State University, studying Criminal Justice. She has attended over 600 hrs of continuing education hours as Justice of the Peace and as a Municipal Judge. Both certifications are current and up to date.
Judge Smith was elected as the First Mayor of Mountain City at 28 yrs of age in 1984, and served in a voluntary capacity for 14 years. She has lived in Mountain City for over 34 years and continues to serve as the Coordinator and Host for National Night out annually.
Her education, experience w/students, life skills, public relations experience and past position as the Campus Manager for Austin Community College has given her the appropriate demeanor, character, and decision-making skills, with an emphasis on the juvenile aspect of Justice Court, to be a highly effective Justice of the Peace.
As the area that she serves explodes in population, she continues to keep up with the technology and pace to lead a very efficient staff and office.
Judge Smith is known for working with her constituents in many capacities and has continued to honor her campaign promise of 1999: "To work with law enforcement, the school district, and most importantly, the citizens of precinct 2 toward a safer community".
For the past 15 years, she has donated her wedding donations to numerous local charities. It's another way for Judge Smith to give back to the community that has elected her to serve.
She is very active in the community. A partial list of her services include:
- Justice of the Peace-Constables Association
- Texas Municipal Judge's Association
- Justice Court Judges Association
- Hays County Criminal Justice Association-2 years as President
- Served 3 years BOD Hays County Women's Center
- Serving 9 year, BOD Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Served as President 7 years, Gang Response Intervention Program
- Serving 25th year on the Hays County ESD BOD #5, President
- BOD Infant fatality Review Team
- Kyle Lions Club (2nd VP)
- Past Lehman HS Leo (110 members) Liaison w/Kyle Lions Club
- Presented "shattered dreams" at HHS 3 times and Lehman and Live Oak twice
- Serving 9th year on the Hays County Bail Bond BOD (elected by peers as representative for JPs)
- Charter member Ladies Auxiliary 12058
- Life member of Kyle Area Senior Zone
- Associate Judge, City of Kyle
- Municipal Judge, City of Uhland
- Municipal Judge, City of Niederwald
- Member of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce
- Child Protective Services BOD 4 years
- Serving on ACC Criminal Justice Dept. Advisory BOD. Elected as President in 2012
Judge Smith has formed a very strong alliance with numerous non-profit agencies that aid in not only serving justice, but getting to the root of occurrences with the youth in our community. Each juvenile that she sees for a class C misdemeanor is connected with an individual counselor for guidance. Her court hours have been adjusted so the students miss minimal school education if any at all. She is available 24/7 for guidance and referrals, although she is not allowed, by law, to give legal advice or discuss your case on an individual basis if there is a plea of "not guilty" or pending a plea.
She is happily married to Everett, who is the Director of Engineering and Maintenance with Texas-Lehigh. They have 3 children: Shane and his wife Lori, Tiffany and her husband John, (and she is so very proud of her grandson, Johnathan), and Crystal. They all reside in her precinct and are very supportive of her position in the community.